165 kilometers in 6 self-sufficient stages to discover the Oasis and the highest dunes of the Oman Desert on the tracks of the ancient caravans.
RACE CONCEPT
The Oman Desert Marathon choose this formula to encapsulate the experience of being in the desert and to give runners the opportunity to test themselves and their equipment before embarking on longer challenges. The race organisers will always be present to support, give advice and medical assistance if necessary, but without interfering with the self-sufficiency of the competitors.
SELF SUFFICIENCY
The runner is completely self-sufficient, requiring them to carry all of their own equipment except for water which is provided at checkpoints. The organization will also provide sleeping bags at each camp. Carrying all you need for five days is a big challenge, more so than running 165 km, and this is fundamental to the experience of the authentic desert life.
ROUTE
The Oman Desert Marathon course is designed to embrace the desert experience, and the Oman desert is one of the most beautiful locations for such an event.
Six stages of 21 km, 22 km, 25 km , 27 km, 40 km and 30 km take the runners into the Oman Desert with a variety of landscapes and sand conditions giving to the runner a complete desert experience, including also a night stage that will take the runners to run in the magic of the desert illuminated by the stars.
SAFETY
The Oman Desert Marathon offers maximum safety and personal attention to all runners, by monitoring the runners and the race from viewpoints that will not interfere with the sense of vastness and loneliness of the desert but making sure that nobody gets lost and that everybody can receive help promptly.
RUNNERS
The 165 km course is divided into 6 stages that many top runners of the Marathon Des Sables choose as the best place to train. The course is also the perfect choice for the less experienced runner who wants to embrace the magic of the life in the desert without running over longer distances.
GREAT VALUE
The economic value is an important aspect of racing abroad. Before and after the race, runners are guest at the ODM Camp. They can also enjoy the thermal springs of Wadi Bani Khalid, an ideal location to relax and recover after racing. Accommodation, food (both before and after the race), drinks, and transfers are all included. No hidden extras.
COURSE NAVIGATION
Participants must follow the route as marked by the organizers. Failing to do so may produce penalties of varying severity depending on the particular stage of the race. For the liaison stages, the route is marked approximately every 500 meters. Several natural landmarks serve as additional points of reference. Each competitor will receive a road book during the initial race briefing. The road book indicates distances, terrain’s typology, headings and any other characteristic of the route.
CHECKPOINTS
Checkpoints are placed approximately each 10 kilometers. These checkpoints are mandatory passages in which each runner’s race card is punched and water is provided. Medical support is present at every checkpoint if advice or treatment is required. The medical team may decide to withdraw a competitor if there is a serious risk for his/her health and safety.
LOCATION
The Oman Desert Marathon (ODM) will take place in the east Sultanat d’Oman, in the Wilayat Bidiyah Region.
STAGES
STAGE ONE: THE CASTLE
Distance : 21 Km Start: 08:30 am Time limit: 6 hour
From the castle of Wasil runners will cross the Oasis and the desert outside the village
STAGE TWO: THE CARAVAN
Distance: 22 Km Start: 08:30am Time limit: 9hour
After the first 20 km runners are leaving the more civilized areas, running deep into the desert following the ancient caravans path.
STAGE TWO TREE: THE RED DUNES
Distance: 25 Km Start: 08:30am Time limit:6hour
At this point, all runners are getting used to the life and weather of the desert. This stage will take them to cross canyons and soft sand segments in the high red dunes.
STAGE FOUR: THE WELL
Distance: 27 Km Start: 08 :30am Time limit:9hour
Large areas of the desert have life: camels and goats live here eating the dry and rough grass that grows in this area. The runners will see the wells used by the Bedouins to water camels and goats.
STAGE FIVE: THE STARS
Distance: 40 Km Time limit: 12hours
The longest stage of the race, takes the runners into the magic of living the desert during the night. A total immersion in the nature, where the runner becomes part of it in a mixture of excitement for the race and surprise for the stunning views and sensations that desert night racing offers.
STAGE SIX: THE MAMMOTH DESCENT
Distance : 30 Km Start: 08:30am Time limit:6hour
Last kilometers before getting back to the Oman Desert Marathon base camp. The runners will use all the remaining energies to arrive to the finish line at the ODM base camp after facing one of the highest dunes of the desert, with a steep slant of 200 meters.
